Violence against women and girls has long been a characteristic of conflict in South Sudan that has spanned decades. One year ago, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan revealed that widespread violence was creating a “hellish existence for women and girls”. Among the many abuses were targeted attacks, abduction and rape perpetrated by all armed groups across the country as “part of military tactics for which government and military leaders are responsible, either due to their failure to prevent these acts, or for their failure to punish those involved”. Systemic impunity allows perpetrators to evade justice, leaving their victims to bear the burden of stigma, unwanted pregnancies, mental health and psychosocial consequences and sexually transmitted disease including HIV/AIDs.

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) still extends beyond the environment of conflict. For many women and girls in South Sudan, the threat of violence is greatest within their own home. Harmful gender norms, patriarchal systems and the continued militarisation of society has created a culture of dominance, where SGBV has become one of the most critical threats to the protection and wellbeing of women and children in South Sudan (UNICEF). Studies indicate 65% of women and girls have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, and 51% have suffered violence at the hands of an intimate partner.

Although change at the national level still seems a distant dream, at the local and community level a change of mentality can be seen. Slowly, individual by individual, the HNTPO South Sudan team is succeeding in imposing new directions of thinking that are slowly becoming the new social paradigms.

Men are becoming part of the solution, because only by educating can the seed of violence be uprooted before it takes root. In terekeka County, HealthNet TPO facilitates a male engagement workshop with men and their spouses. The workshop was developed from experiences working with women that a changed attitude and transformed mindset will be more sustained when it is built from within family foundations, where everyone matters.

The initial workshop, attended by 10 young couples, it was a safe space for them to discuss gender equality in the home and gender-based violence. Through dialogue and discussions, men realised that they were not valuing their wives and that the narrative about women should change to fight the social stigma in the country. During the workshop, all 20 participants accepted to become ambassadors in their community, to help discourage stigma, stereotypes of men and encourage mutual respect and an end to violence.

To change harmful gender norms and promote gender equality, HealthNet TPO and our partners engage with stakeholders across all levels of society from a national to a community level, including governance, institutions, customary courts, local leaders, community groups and the youth. 

At a regional and national level, we advocate to put gender equality issues on the agenda. We promote the inclusion of women in decision making processes at all levels and support women at a community level to realise their capabilities to adopt these roles under the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Stigma and the threat of further harm prevents many women from seeking legal counsel and if they do, they are unable to access justice. Systemic impunity allows perpetrators of SGBV to act without any consequences or accountability, enabling them to repeat their crimes again and again. It reflects a weak, severely underfunded judicial system and the absence of rule of law. Customary (ABC) courts in South Sudan lack female representation and awareness on gender equality. HealthNet TPO delivered training to these ABC courts on gender-based violence legislation. The training brought together ten chiefs from five payams, who discussed the impact of traditional activities on women’s rights and became familiarised with the law they must implement. We aim to increase female participation in these customary courts and will continue to work with the courts and with women to support participation.

These topic were discussed in the Third Annual Women's Conference in South Sudan, where the Executive Director of Crown the Women, Riya William said “By giving survivors of rape to perpetrators means we are rewarding them for what they have done. Perpetrators shouldn’t be rewarded but taken to jail. Some survivors are given 14,000 pounds and a goat as compensation. Is a woman’s life worth just 14,000 pounds and a goat?”.

Within conflict, sexual violence is coupled with other potentially traumatising experiences including witnessing attacks and killings, losing loved ones, homes and livelihoods, or being forcibly displaced. Many people are also living through humanitarian crises - more than 7 million people (over 60% of the population) have food insecurity and more than 70% require humanitarian assistance.

The psychological effects of all of these experiences can be immense. People can go on to experience acute stress, depression, anxiety, emotional numbing and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The UN Commission found that many survivors of violence, including sexual violence, find it hard to lead meaningful lives full of hope. Particularly when social and familial support systems have broken down as is common within conflict and mental health services are limited or non-existent.

HealthNet TPO supports women and girl survivors of sexual and gender-based violence through community based psychosocial focal persons (PFPs). Often the first point of call for women and girls, local PFPs provide psychological first aid, follow-up psychosocial counselling and referrals to specialist health, protection and legal counsel. They also work with schools and men, and reinforce community groups to restore social cohesion and local support networks and raise awareness to SGBV, the impact of early, forced marriages, alcohol and drug abuse, stress and self-care. The awareness sessions have contributed to improved mental health, and knowledge on SGBV their human rights.

With the PFPs, we strive to strengthen women’s and girl’s resilience and allow them to realise their rights, worth and capabilities to lead full and happy lives. Under the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, these services help women and girls to meaningfully engage in local decision-making processes for conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

The damning UN Human Rights Commission in South Sudan report indicates the need for initiatives to address the prevention and reduction of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict and within the home. Women and girls must be part of the decision making processes and play a significant role towards ending violence against women and sustainable peace. Mechanisms and services to support and protect survivors are crucial for strengthening women’s and girl’s resilience and wellbeing.